Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY275311 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2008 Inspection date Bridget Richardson Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and five years in Southwater. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a garden for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children by car from local schools and takes children to the local library and parks.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding nine children all of whom attend on a part time basis.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a clean environment where they are helped to learn the importance of suitable hygiene practices. They are encouraged to wash their hands before touching food, and after toileting and messy play. The childminder has clear procedures in place for nappy changing

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and the hygienic disposal of dirty nappies. However, suitable procedures are not in place to meet children's individual needs in the case of accidents, as alternative suitable clothing is not available.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a relevant first aid certificate. This means that she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. Children who are infectious do not attend which helps to minimise the risk of cross infection. Parents do not always sign to give prior consent to administer medication to ensure children receive the correct dosage according to their needs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder offers a range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks to children that promote healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. There are effective procedures for the food provided by parents to prevent spoiling. Children can help themselves to a drink whenever they need one. This encourages children to think about their personal needs. The childminder gathers all relevant information regarding diet and medical history. This ensures children's individual needs are met. Children enjoy regular exercise that contributes to their good health.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder organises her indoor space well, allowing children to move around freely and independently. The environment is warm and welcoming to children, who are relaxed and familiar in their surroundings. They have easy access to a good range of toys and resources appropriate for their age.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder generally has a good understanding of how to keep children safe. She supervises children at all times and ensures areas used by children are suitable. For example, sockets are inaccessible, chemicals are stored in a locked cupboard, monitors are used for resting children and fire-fighting equipment is suitably installed. However, the garden gate is not sufficiently secure to prevent access from the outside. This means the risk to children's safety has not been sufficiently minimised. There are clear procedures in place for outings that help to ensure children's safety. The childminder talks with children about road safety and supervises them at all times.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has a concern about a child in her care. This ensures she quickly recognises when a child is in danger and can act in the child's best interest.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and familiar in the setting. They confidently look to the childminder for support indicating good trusting relationships are built. The childminder knows the children well; this helps her to meet their individual needs. For example, a child who woke up from a rest was fully supported by the childminder who cuddled and talked quietly to the child until fully woken up and ready to go off and play.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder confidently follows the children's interest and interacts positively with them. For example, children instigated a game of moving like different animals and enjoyed jumping like frogs and slithering like a snake. The childminder extended their play by talking with them about the noises the animals make. The children relished the interaction with enthusiasm especially when being tigers and roaring aloud.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder organises a wide range of opportunities for children to ensure their all round development. She interacts positively with the children at all times, extending their knowledge and adapting activities to ensure inclusion for all children. For example, children decided to play with the skittles. The childminder encouraged the children to take a turn and supported them in sharing. She extended their knowledge by introducing relevant language when the children successfully knocked down all the skittles on the first attempt.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity. Children are given opportunities to become aware of their own and other cultures through a range of resources, planned activities and as they celebrate a variety of festivals. There are clear systems in place to support all children's individual needs. Close liaison with parents and other professionals, helps to ensure children's needs are well planned for and met.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very positive attitude in dealing with behaviour issues. She is consistent in her approach, sets realistic boundaries, and supports and supervises children at all times. She offers lots of praise and encouragement for positive behaviour. This promotes children's confidence and self-esteem. The partnership with parents is good. There are both formal and informal systems in place for the childminder and parents to share information about children. This helps to ensure continuity of care.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder uses her time well and her flexible approach allows children the opportunity to follow their own interests. She organises her home well and children receive good support from the childminder to help them feel safe and confident. As a result, children are relaxed and familiar in the setting.

p.4

Organisation

Information kept about children is relevant and promotes their welfare. However, parents do not always sign to give prior consent to administer medication that ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. The childminder attends training to enhance her practice. This means she is able to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after. However, there are minor weaknesses in the childminder's practice, which impacts on children's well-being. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, five recommendations were set. These were to ensure: car insurance includes business use; that the register is accurate at all times; a written statement that provides details of the procedures to be followed if parents wish to make a complaint is in place; an up to date first aid box is in place and permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment is obtained.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has her car insured for business use and a complaints procedure and statement is in place. These are maintained in a portfolio which parents are able to access at anytime, to ensure that they are fully aware. An accurate register is clearly maintained at all times and parents have given permission for seeking emergency medical advice. However, parents although

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 completing to give permission for medical treatment do not always sign the form giving the childminder consent to administer.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to develop medication records to ensure permission is gained for all medication administered • develop systems to ensure individual needs can be met in the case of personal accidents a child may have • ensure the garden gate is secure.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5